John Wachter helped to save Richard Caffrey from drowning, Troy, New York, February 13, 1918. Caffrey, 49, packer, broke through the ice on the Hudson River 950 feet from the west bank, where the water was 10 feet deep. He made numerous attempts to get on the ice, which was honeycombed and rotten, but it broke off each time, and he called for help. Wachter, 31, pipefitter, walked on the ice from the west bank to a point 40 feet from Caffrey, tossed a rope to him, and made an unsuccessful attempt to pull him from the hole. He then made a noose in the rope, tossed it over Caffrey’s shoulders, and threw the other end to a man 60 feet behind him. Then another man who had followed Wachter reached him, and the three men pulled Caffrey through the ice 20 feet nearer to Wachter. The man who had joined Wachter then worked the end of a board under Caffrey, and Caffrey was pulled upon the ice to Wachter, who helped him to his feet. Wachter then broke through the ice to his hips, but he got out onto the ice quickly, and all reached the bank. 18734-1436
18734 – 1436
18734-1436